Design Brief & Intent
The core mission of the Fastcat 395 was to deliver genuine performance-cruising capabilities in a package under forty feet—a size range where traditional cruising catamarans are notoriously slow due to disproportionate weight-to-volume ratios. Simonis Voogd Yacht Design approached the brief by prioritizing a highly efficient underwater profile, generous bridge deck clearance to minimize slamming, and an ultra-lightweight laminate schedule. It was designed specifically for experienced sailors stepping up from fast monohulls or sporty beach cats who refused to accept the sluggish upwind performance of mass-market multihulls.
Unlike its high-volume contemporaries, which featured bulbous hulls and low bridge decks, the Fastcat 395 featured narrow, low-drag waterline entries that flared aggressively above the static waterline to preserve interior volume. This design balance allowed for a spacious bridge deck salon without compromising the boat's sailing pedigree. Inside, the joinery reflected a European sensibility. Rather than relying on heavy solid wood or cheap molded liners, the builder utilized vacuum-bonded sandwich structures faced with thin cherry or African mahogany veneers. The resulting finish was elegant yet structurally light, presenting a clean, modern aesthetic that successfully avoided the clinical, plastic look of standard production catamarans.
Variations & Configurations
Throughout its production run, the Fastcat 395 was offered in a few distinct configurations designed to suit different cruising lifestyles. The most significant structural distinction lay between the standard GRP/Epoxy builds and the high-tech Vector-K (often designated as VK) variants. The Vector-K utilized a proprietary, highly sophisticated vacuum-infusion process that combined high-modulus epoxy with advanced technical fibers. In these performance-optimized models, the outer skins incorporated bi-directional basalt fibers, while the interior hulls were reinforced with a Twaron aramid impact protection system, lending incredible puncture resistance and stiffness at a fraction of the weight of conventional fiberglass.
In terms of interior layouts, owners could choose between two primary configurations. The Owner's Version featured a highly private, asymmetrical layout that dedicated the entire port hull to a master suite. This configuration included a massive double berth aft, a dedicated midship desk or vanity, and an oversized head compartment forward with a separate stall shower. The starboard hull in this version housed two comfortable guest cabins sharing a central head. Conversely, the Charter Version utilized a symmetrical four-cabin layout with two cabins and a shared head in each hull, maximizing accommodation for larger groups. Symmetrical twin low-aspect-ratio keels were standard, which were specifically reinforced to allow the boat to be safely dried out or beached in tidal zones.
Sailing Performance & Handling
The physical sensation of sailing the Fastcat 395 is directly informed by its aggressive design ratios. Sporting a displacement of just 12,125 pounds, this vessel is exceptionally light for a 40-foot cruising catamaran. When paired with a powerful fractional sloop rig, it boasts an extraordinary sail area-to-displacement ratio of 31.65. This high ratio means the boat possesses immense power-to-weight and will readily excel in light-air conditions where heavier cruisers are forced to turn on their engines. Owners report the hulls slipping effortlessly into motion in as little as five knots of true wind, easily sailing at or near wind speed on a reach.
With a displacement-to-length ratio of 96.95, the Fastcat 395 sits firmly in the ultra-lightweight cruising class. The physical manifestation of this is a boat that behaves more like a sports car than a cruising wagon; helm feedback is direct and responsive, a rare quality in catamarans of this era. However, this responsiveness comes at the cost of motion. The boat's comfort ratio of 8.67 indicates a quick, lively motion in a seaway. Unlike heavy-displacement multihulls that sluggishly absorb wave action, the Fastcat 395 will accelerate rapidly over and through waves, requiring an active helmsman and timely reefing of the high-roach mainsail as the wind builds. Her capsize screening ratio of 3.58 reflects her wide beam of over 20 feet, offering a reassuringly stable footprint that resists heeling while converting wind pressure directly into forward speed.
Market Standing & Economics
Because African Cats operated as a niche, semi-custom builder rather than a mass-production factory, the Fastcat 395 remains an exceedingly scarce find on the brokerage market. Hulls rarely change hands, and when they do, they command a significant premium among performance-minded cruising purists. These buyers are typically willing to pay a higher price for a stiff, epoxy-infused catamaran that can easily out-sail vessels ten feet longer.
However, prospective buyers must understand the unique economics of owning a semi-custom South African build. While the structural integrity of the vacuum-infused epoxy hulls is exceptional, these boats were built with a high degree of owner customization, meaning no two Fastcat 395s on the market are identical. A buyer should expect to spend time auditing custom wiring schematics, non-standard plumbing layouts, and localized hardware choices. Refitting a vessel of this pedigree requires a specialized approach, and owners should budget for premium rigging components and high-performance sails to maintain the boat's design potential.
Maintenance Realities & Common Cruising Pitfalls
Despite the advanced composite engineering of the hulls, the Fastcat 395 is not immune to maintenance challenges, some of which are characteristic of its South African construction heritage. Early production models faced scrutiny from the cruising community regarding quality control on secondary systems. While the baseline structure of epoxy, Divinycell, and aramid fibers remains highly durable and immune to osmosis, the installation of auxiliary systems was sometimes inconsistent. Owners of used models frequently report needing to completely rewire electrical panels, replace under-specified marine refrigeration units, and re-plumb freshwater systems that were poorly routed from the factory.
Another critical pitfall for the Fastcat 395 is its extreme sensitivity to "weight creep." Because the boat's performance is entirely predicated on its light 12,125-pound displacement, the addition of heavy cruising gear can quickly ruin its handling. Introducing heavy diesel generators, watermakers, dive compressors, wash-down pumps, and massive anchor chains will submerge the hulls past their designed waterlines, dragging performance down and dramatically reducing the bridge deck clearance. This reduction in clearance leads to severe bridge deck slamming in choppy seas, which compromises both structural comfort and speed. Prospective buyers must audit any aftermarket additions and maintain a strict weight-saving regimen. Additionally, the steering linkage for the twin rudders must be checked regularly, as the cross-links can develop play over time, dulling the otherwise sharp helm feel.
Modernization & Upgrades
The Fastcat 395 is an ideal candidate for modern green retrofits, largely because its original builder became a pioneer in marine electrification. Later in its corporate life, African Cats developed the "Green Motion" hybrid propulsion system, which focused on retractable electric motor-generators and regeneration under sail. For older Fastcat 395 hulls originally equipped with traditional Volvo Penta or Yanmar diesel sail drives, a transition to modern electric propulsion—such as systems from Oceanvolt or Torqeedo—is highly viable. The boat’s easily driven hulls require very little horsepower to achieve hull speed, making electric motors exceptionally efficient.
Furthermore, veteran owners frequently modernize these boats by converting the house battery banks to Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) chemistry. This upgrade not only sheds hundreds of pounds of useless lead-acid weight from the stern quarters but also provides the massive capacity needed to run modern electric galleys, eliminating the need for propane. When paired with high-output solar arrays mounted flush on the wide cockpit bimini, the Fastcat 395 can easily transition into a fully autonomous, zero-emission coastal or blue-water cruiser.
The Verdict
The Fastcat 395 remains a brilliant, forward-thinking multihull that was years ahead of its time. For the sailor who values the physical joy of sailing, upwind pointing ability, and double-digit cruising speeds, this boat offers a level of refinement and excitement that mass-production catamarans simply cannot replicate 3. It is not a floating condo designed to maximize cabin count at the expense of safety and speed; rather, it is a high-performance voyaging tool that demands respect, active management, and a minimalist approach to gear. For those willing to accept the lively motion and the necessity of strict weight management, the Fastcat 395 rewards its crew with some of the most exhilarating passage-making capabilities available in the under-40-foot catamaran class.
Pros
- Exceptional sailing performance with blistering light-air speed and excellent upwind pointing angles.
- High-tech vacuum-infused epoxy construction that is completely immune to osmosis and structurally superior to polyester builds.
- Generous bridge deck clearance minimizes slamming in heavy offshore conditions.
- Extremely responsive, "sports car" helm feel with direct feedback.
- Symmetrical keels are reinforced to allow the boat to be safely beached or dried out.
Cons
- Extremely sensitive to weight creep; excessive cruising gear will rapidly degrade performance.
- Lively motion in a seaway due to light displacement can be fatiguing for crews accustomed to heavy-displacement cruisers.
- Niche, semi-custom production means parts and wiring diagrams can be highly customized and difficult to trace.
- High scarcity on the brokerage market makes finding a well-maintained hull difficult.
- Early models suffer from inconsistent factory systems installation, requiring electrical and plumbing audits.
